The Wishing Well Spirits

Far into the woods in a community there is a well, a wishing well of sorts. My ancestors found it years ago and made a wish with blood, it is now a tradition to make a wish on your 18th birthday and receive a spirit. Each spirit is different but some families have a connection with one, and it will come back for generations to those kindred souls. It is a privilege to preform the ceremony and to be chosen to carry the spirit with you till death; they are called Eidolons. But not all things can be good, some people can have darkness in there soul and they can have evil wishes. These people can attract something dark and twisted to come forth into this world; they are called Apollyons. I grew up in one of the best families ever, not only did we all love each other but I was the chief’s granddaughter. People were always jealous because they said that only the best Eidolons picked people in my family. Everyone in my family had some of the most amazing Eidolons choose them. My grandfather had one of the strongest Eidolon warriors, no one could beat him. Most of the kids would spend hours arguing about what Eidolon they wanted to choose them. I always thought my mom had one of the best Eidolon we called it Terra, she was the mother everything. So my mother showed me everything about growing and bringing life to things until I was 16. It was finally time to get ready for the summer solstice party. We had to get the flowers together and making sure the gardens were flourishing with fruits and vegetables for the feast. This was my mom’s job every year, to get all of those things together. I had been helping her since I could remember, I was 10 now. Everyone always said “Holly when you get older this will become your job.” Unfortunately I wouldn’t have Terra in me to help me but there are other Eidolons that could choose me. So I didn’t mind, I was happy with whatever I was given. On the other hand there were some people like my older cousin Susan that wanted something powerful. She always said “Never tolerate anything but extraordinary. We are a highly privileged family, we deserve it.” Her ceremony was today and she was being extra needy, and for lack of better words, bitchy. We gathered at her house to deliver her birthday gifts, I had hand made her a scarf with her name on it in her favorite color. We were all waiting in the living room talking when she finally decided to come down. As she came down the stairs it was like she was a goddess. She had a beautiful dress and decked out with shiny jewelry. “I guess those 3 hrs were worth it, don’t you think.” Said to my friend Jessica. We giggled, “Yeah she looks really good, who would have known.” “Will you two shush, it’s her 18th birthday. Just let her be the center of attention for at least once in her life.” Said my mom. “I just wanted to start out by saying thank you to everyone for being here for my birthday, it means a lot. Now for the presents that everyone got me!” Said my cousin Susan. Everyone started laughing and proceeded to all line up to give her our gifts one by one. We were one of the last ones in line. “Wow..... a scarf...... it’s my favorite color.” She said very unimpressed. “Yeah I made it myself and put your name on it.” I said. “Great. Can’t lose it now.” She smiled stiffly. My aunt gave her a bit of a jab and a stern look. “Thank you I will cherish this gift.” Said Susan. “Now time for our gift.” Said my aunt. My uncle came over at this point with a beautiful box. “What is it?” Asked Susan excitedly. “Just open it and see for yourself, it’s really rare.” Said my aunt. Susan started opening it and gasped. “Wow it’s beautiful!” She said, out she pull an amazing necklace with a huge Charoite stone on it. “Charoite stones are said to be great for channeling and communicating with spirits. We thought you could wear it tonight for the ceremony.” Said my uncle. “Doesn’t hurt to try, I’ll put it on right now.” Said Susan excitedly. After everyone ate and talked we all headed far into the woods; where we would eventually reach the wishing well that has stood there for centuries. The ceremony consisted on calling on the spirits of the well by the elders and the person or people who were there of age. They would one by one say, “I so and so call forth my kindred spirit and allow it to co-habit my physical body.” Then they would cut there hand to draw blood wether it be a drop or cup. It’s all up to the person to decide. It’s said that the more blood you give the more of your true self you show. So in theory even if your a crapping person but deep down your actually kind and selfless, if you give a lot of blood they can see that. Lucky for Susan she was the only one of age that day and it fell on a powerful full moon. My grandfather and some other elders came forward with Susan and started the ceremony. Susan said her part and cut her hand deep with the blade, blood poured from her hand. Everyone has a different experience when there Eidolon rises from the well to choose them. My mother said when she did her ceremony that this beautiful green light came out and she was overcome with this feeling to nurture and grow. But with Susan it was drastically different, this horrible black gloop came out and grabbed her, pouring its self into any opening in her face. “Get the women in children out of here now! All warriors surround her but keep your distance!” Yelled my Grandfather. It was full blown panic, no one that ever seen an Apollyon inhabit one are own. I ran behind one of the trees out of site. “Mmmmhhhh, it’s nice to be finally out...... you know it’s really hard to find someone as power hungry as me. This is really nice, now...... like I just said I’m hungry.” Said Susan in a distorted voice. “Malice, I would say it’s nice to see you sister but in all honesty it’s not. Now don’t make this hard.” Said Terra. “Wow just my luck, it’s a f*****g family reunion. Come give me a hug sister.” “Don’t come near me Malice. Don’t get too close she isn’t called the devourer of souls for nothing.” “That’s harsh sis I prefer the freer of burden..... the burden of life.” Malice smiled, it was gut wrenching. Some how I could feel her slimy icy cold hands around my neck, I couldn’t hold it I threw up. All eyes turn to me, I looked up and my eye met with hers. I froze, utterly and completely frozen in place. “Who do we have here? Aahh Holly, the predecessor. You must think your so special being the daughter of the great and powerful Terra?” She started walking toward me. “Now!” Yelled my mom, ropes came flying around Susan wrapping around her arms. “Pull it tight! Make sure no one gets close! We need to end this now.” Said my mom; my grandfather pulled a knife out and got ready to throw it at Malice. “Stop!” Yelled my aunt running forward. “Annabeth stay back!” Yelled my grandfather. “You can’t just kill her, she’s my daughter...... your granddaughter! There has to be something we can do!” She began crying. “There is nothing we can do to save her, it’s to dangerous to leave her like that.” “Mom please help me! You know me, I’m good. Your the only one that can save me mom.” Said Susan. “Don’t get near her!” Said my mom. “Please help, this hurts.” Susan said as she squirmed. Before anyone could react my aunt bolted for her and cut the ropes from her arms. She went to embrace her and Susan grabbed her face like she was going in for a kiss. Silver smoke came out of my aunts mouth and into hers and then my aunt dropped like a rag doll. Her eye were open but lifeless, I was ready to throw up again. I saw something out of the corner of my eye, my grandfather had thrown the knife. The knife hit her in the shoulder blade. “Missed me old man.” She laughed but I could see the pain in her eyes. She turned to me and said “See you soon squirt.” And she disappeared into the forest. “After her!” Yelled my mom and the warriors started running after her.